All posts tagged: constipated

Feeling Constipated? Five Unexpected Foods That Can Help You Poo

Feeling Constipated? Five Unexpected Foods That Can Help You Poo

Published by Sam Flores

It’s true that prunes and prune juice really do help you go, and could even be better at getting things moving than psyllium husk. That’s because they’re high in a sugar alcohol called sorbitol, which draws water into your colon and softens the stool. The added pressure it places on your bowels encourages motion, too. Prunes have a lot of gut-friendly fibre, though the drink doesn’t. But if you don’t like the dried plums or are looking for a little variety, here are some other foods to get the show back on the road: 1) Chewing gum In a remarkable opening line, health myth buster, GP, and surgeon Dr Karan Rajan said in a video that “chewing gum could help you in your quest to churn out fresh colon sausage”. That’s for two reasons. Firstly, it tricks your body into thinking you’re eating, which kick-starts the motion of the digestive ocean. And secondly, sugar-free gum often contains that helpful ingredient, sorbitol. 2) Popcorn Popcorn is surprisingly high in fibre. And the type of fibre it …

Even astronauts get constipated in space

Even astronauts get constipated in space

Published by Jenni Sidey

Get the Popular Science daily newsletter💡 Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent six days a week. Travel is notoriously hard on your digestion. Jet lag, dehydration, stress, and even slight disruptions to a regular meal schedule can result in unpleasant bathroom difficulties. But the next time you’re struggling with toilet troubles away from home, try to remember: At least you’re not dealing with it in outer space. “I was thinking about how even on Earth, travel is one of the biggest constipation triggers,” Sarah Jane Bunger tells Popular Science. “[It’s] always going to make this perfect storm of constipation while on Earth. So it’s only going to be more and more exacerbated once you go outside Earth.” It’s Bunger’s job to think about these things. She’s the global research and development lead for Dulcolax, where she oversees anything and everything tied to new formulas and clinical activities for the laxative and stool softener. But even after more than 13 years in the business, she was honored to learn the medication was available to a new …